I had a great weekend fishing with Cole and Corbett Sands here at the Big O. I met these fine young anglers last year at the Forrest Wood Cup. Cole, 16, is the 2011 and 2012 Angler of the Year for the Cleveland Jr. Bass Club and the 2011 Tennessee TBF Jr. State Champion. Corbett, 12, is the 2012 Tennessee TBF Jr. State Champion – pretty impressive accolades for such young anglers.

The boys had an opportunity to come visit me during their spring break so we made plans to head to the Big O for the weekend. The first day the weather was gorgeous and the fishing was fantastic. We caught over 40 bass with our best five weighing in at 28 pounds.

Corbett’s big fish for the day was a beautiful 4 1/2-pounder he landed on a Gambler Ace. Cole’s big fish of the day came on a Gambler Swim Jig and weighed a little over 4 pounds. I was lucky enough to catch an 8-pounder.

On day two conditions got tough and the wind was blowing 30 to 40 mph. Fishing is always difficult in these conditions, but the boys really are good fishermen. We threw Yo-Zuri Rattl’n Vibes in the windy conditions and managed to catch another 30 to 40 fish. The Rattl’n Vibe saved the day as it was too windy to worm fish.

The next morning we had only a few hours before the boys and their parents had to head back to Tennessee so I took them to a local lake by the house that has some really nice fish. We had an incredible morning; our best five weighed approximately 27 pounds!

Cole caught the biggest fish of his life, a beautiful 8-pounder, on a wacky-rigged Gambler Ace. We caught over 40 fish in three hours on Yo-Zuri Poppers, and wacky rigged Gambler Aces. I also managed to catch an 8-pounder on the topwater.

I had a fantastic weekend with these two fine boys and their parents. I can’t express how impressed I am with how good of fishermen they are at such young ages. The TBF and Jr. Bass Clubs around the country have given young anglers the opportunity to learn the trade far better and faster than ever before.

I’m looking forward to spring break next year – sure hope they get to come back!